CNN's John King and other top political reporters empty out their notebooks each Sunday on "Inside Politics" to reveal five things that will be in the headlines in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Washington (CNN) – A rare dose of high-powered bipartisanship, plus a mix of 2014 and 2016 nuggets from our weekly trip around the Inside Politics table:

1. RAND –MAN IN THE MIDDLE ON FOREIGN POLICY?

Politico’s Mike Allen shared important reporting about an effort by Rand Paul to address what is perhaps his most significant obstacle as he pursues the 2016 GOP presidential nomination: the isolationist label.

The freshman Kentucky senator has long complained it’s an unfair knock, and an unfair “guilt by association” situation with his father, former Rep. Ron Paul.

But Mike says the senator is planning a high-profile pitch at the National Defense University this fall to address his critics, and attempt to reposition himself on the foreign policy spectrum.

“He’s going to argue that he’s smack in the middle - the same place that George H.W. Bush was, that Reagan was, and that Ike was,” said Allen.

Watch Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar as she moves to raise her national profile and make new friends in the kickoff presidential battleground of Iowa.

No, as Robert Costa of The Washington Post made clear, the Democratic senator has no plans to seek the 2016 Democratic nomination if her former Senate colleague, as expected, makes the race.

But Robert shared reporting of a Klobuchar plan to be ready in case Democrats need a Plan B, or perhaps for a cycle down the road a few years.

“Members of her inner circle tell me that she won't run against Secretary Clinton, but should Secretary Clinton, for some reason, bow out of consideration, Senator Klobuchar is building up a national network, talking to donors and later this month, she'll be in Iowa,” said Costa.

Her tweet about a time where she had to skip flying on Air Force 1. Of course, if she becomes president, the plane will have to wait!

There are two significant tea party tests left on the GOP Senate primary calendar, and Jonathan Martin of The New York Times tells us the establishment is guardedly optimistic.

One is against incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee; the other against incumbent GOP Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas.

The latter for weeks has been described as the more vulnerable of the two, but Jonathan says there are those who believe that might have shifted – meaning Alexander suddenly has more to worry about – because of the shifting issues terrain in Washington.

“There’s some concern about Roberts, because of the campaign he's run, whereas Alexander has run a better campaign, but keep in mind, Alexander has been targeted by Laura Ingraham and Sarah Palin over the immigration issue, which is, as we know, boiling right now,” said Martin.

Alexander’s tweet showing he supports a Senate tea party favorite on the border crisis issue:

Laura Bush and Michelle Obama are teaming up this week, for a mix of policy talk and socializing with the spouses of African leaders who will be in the United States for a summit meeting.

And Nia Malika Henderson of The Washington Post tells us the main goal of the Bush-Obama partnership is to discuss their own lives in the context of helping elevate the role of women in the nations of their guests here in Washington.

But perhaps this rare, bipartisan effort might send a message to others in this dysfunctional town?

Republicans need a gain of six Senate seats to take the majority, and are looking at opportunities in a dozen or more states with seats now held by Democrats. But the map will inevitably shrink, and here are two races to watch if you want to feel plugged in when big financial calculations are made after Labor Day.

OREGON: GOP nominee Monica Wehby trails in the polls and in fund-raising, and it’s a state President Obama carried twice. But the GOP and its allies aren’t giving up yet. A group financed by the Koch Brothers just launched a multimillion ad by in the state, hoping to soften up support for Democratic incumbent Sen. Jeff Merkely.

Check back at the end of the month: if the numbers have moved, more money will follow. But if they don’t narrow much, don’t be surprised if Wehby gets squeezed and both national party groups and deep-pocketed Super PACs steer major resources to more competitive states.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Many Republican strategists in the state are frustrated Scott Brown isn’t polling better against incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. But a few GOP activists insist Brown has moved the dial some in the past couple weeks, and remains in striking distance.

Also giving the GOP some hope even though it’s another state the President carried twice? One prominent GOP activist, borrowing the local slang a bit, suggested President Obama’s New Hampshire poll standing was “wicked bad.”

soundoff(32 Responses)

Tampa Tim

@Chris..E.Al
I think its funny that that way over half of the regular posters on this site during weekdays cant afford internet service to post on the weekends and still support the leftist agenda . Now thats loyalty and deadication after all the betrayals and broken promises from the maharaja no doubt . Hmmm ??
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For a wingnut from Alabama, the great taker state, you post all day every day. Welfare becomes you.

August 3, 2014 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |

Marie MD

This randy is more dangerous than rafaelito from Canada. He's pandering his ideas, most of which he doesn't believe on, to gain a following.

August 3, 2014 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

loadmaster3

Recently Barry's teleprompter to his to say "Stop all the hatin" Well Barry, you created all the "hatin'" in this country and if you want "folks" to stop "hatin'" on you, then stop destroying our Country.

August 3, 2014 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

airjackie

Well KKK Senator Rand Paul is getting advice from his Dad on how to handle minorities for a vote. Problem this is not 1960 when Daddy Paul used uneducated minorities. 50 years have passed and generations have been educated enough to know when their being lied to. Rand Paul said loud and clear when he ran for the Senate that he would repeal the discrimination part of civil rights. He defended insane freeloader rancher Cliven Bundy who feels the N word people should be back in the fields. Rand now loves Dr. King and tells minorities what they want to hear. He is working with NJ Cory Booker for the photo ops to show minorities. The Media/Press are pushing Rand Paul but it was his KKK staffer that got him in trouble.

August 3, 2014 11:02 pm at 11:02 pm |

Thomas

Michele Bachmann dream's in color !

Real deep colors ?

August 4, 2014 02:17 am at 2:17 am |

rick

Politicians are like car comertials. Trying to sell you something you dont want. Too expensive to get. Dont need it in first place. And no matter what the hype. All do the exact same thing. Just a different color paint job. But at least on some new cars. You can get a rear view camera to see whats behind you. So you dont run over something important. And most important. Some have a auto break feature to keep from doing something real STUPID. ALL LAKING IN THE POLITICIANS after your money again..

August 4, 2014 06:03 am at 6:03 am |

Rudy NYC

The freshman Kentucky senator has long complained it’s an unfair knock, and an unfair “guilt by association” situation with his father, former Rep. Ron Paul.
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I think guilt by association is fair in this case. Rand Paul had to dismiss a couple of staffers because of the racist views. His father's views are thoroughly documented by his newsletters. People should note one thing about Rand Paul. He never knocks racists. In fact, he has defended bigotry and racism as a form of free speech. How's that for crazy, huh?